Dallas Austin Named Island Records SVP of A&R

There’s more room on the executive side of Def Jam. Today, the company announced that producer Dallas Austin will fill the role as the Senior Vice President of A&R at Island Records.

“I am truly honored to be working with the most cutting-edge and creative artists in the business,” said Mr. Austin. “I am inspired and excited every day by this amazing and diverse roster and by the leadership and vision of Barry Weiss, Steve Bartels and the IDJ team. I look forward to discovering new talent and continuing to build on Island Records’ storied history.”

Def Jam CEO Barry Weiss says:

“Dallas is a modern day music man: a veteran who has been supplying chart hits to this industry for more than two decades, across multiple genres and around the world,” said Mr. Weiss. “Island Records is fortunate that such a coveted creative force is working with the company and its artists, bringing his experience and expertise to Island at this exciting time in the company’s history. The work he has just done on new Island artist Nikki Williams is nothing short of stunning.”

I’ve said this before & i’ll say it again, these guys need new blood, young & hungry people with new ideas because let’s face it these old Dinosaurs aren’t gonna change shit . There’s a lot of great independent music out there that could benefit from a major push but it won’t get a shot because the labels are being run by out of touch egomaniacs who are artists themselves, so you know they are always lookin out for number 1 word to Rick Ross dropping a mixtape out of the blue a few weeks before Meek drops his album

Gunplay’s MMG Chain

@mike

…yea as SVP of the Island Def Jam Janitorial Department

tbd1983

@your mother, you’re absolutely right about that. I as a music fan, have found more unique, musically talented unsigned on sites like Youtube,Reverbnation,World Star Hip Hop,etc than the corporate label suits have